Ripening Time

Delectable prose and jewel-toned illustrations come together as a young narrator counts down until a bunch of plantains are ripe enough for eating. At the grocery store, Mama picks out a bunch of green plantains (“Fruit that is firm now./ Fruit that will sweeten when soft”). Their placement in a hanging fruit basket at home sets the stage for a week of longing. On Tuesday, “faint yellow crawls across the green peels,” while Wednesday sees a babysitter mistaking the bunch for bananas. As Sunday nears, anticipation reaches a fever pitch as the plantains, at last, grow ripe. The suspense yields a satisfying ending (“One week behind me./ One plate before me”), as Aguilera uses rich, saturated colors to create a domestic world filled with flowers and produce, amplifying the sensory-rich storytelling. The family is portrayed with brown skin. An author’s note, recipe, and more conclude. Ages 4–7. (Apr.)